Requesting the Joint Committee on Education study the law of West
Virginia and of other jurisdictions to see how these deal with
dyslexia and develop legislation to improve awareness of and
strengthen support for citizens with dyslexia.

Whereas, Dyslexia is a learning disability that is
neurobiological in origin and characterized by difficulties with
accurate and fluent word recognition, poor spelling, and poor
decoding abilities, resulting in problems with reading
comprehension and reduced reading experience that impede the growth
of vocabulary and background knowledge; and

Whereas, Students with dyslexia may experience difficulties in
skills such as reading, spelling, writing and speaking; and

Whereas, Between ten and twenty per cent of Americans are
affected by dyslexia or other reading disabilities; and

Whereas, A significant number of students in West Virginia,
including those with dyslexia, read below basic reading levels and
experience literacy challenges, which include difficulties with
language (spoken or written) or reading (in phonemic awareness,
phonics, vocabulary, fluency, or comprehension), or difficulties
with one or more of the basic neurobiological or psychological
processes involved in understanding or using language (spoken or
written) that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to
listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or perform mathematical
calculations; and

Whereas, An improved awareness of and support for persons with
dyslexia will help students, including those with dyslexia, obtain
the necessary instruction, support, skills, and resources to
increase their success in school and in life; therefore, be it Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Education:

(1) Consider current educational policies, practices, and
training with regard to literacy challenges, including dys1exia;
and

(2) Review existing dyslexia-related legislation in other
jurisdictions, including without limitation, California, Texas,
Colorado, Louisiana and Alabama; and

(3) Draft proposed legislation that furthers dyslexia
awareness and implements the findings of the working group for
introduction during the Regular Session of 2013; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Committee report to the regular
session of the Legislature, 2013, on its findings, conclusions and
recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary
to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.